Monday, February 15, 2016

Archaeology and Genealogy

One might suppose that archaeology is a parallel universe to tracing ancestors, but actually it is so
close to what we are doing! Archaeologists sift dirt through a sieve
and dig for evidence, then take soil samples to determine the age. Old burial tombs and graves and the building materials play significant roles in discerning age and era.

While the archaelogist does not usually locate written proof other than upon monuments, he gathers bits and pieces which assist in establishing a time-line. The genealogist and historian would do well to
adapt the findings of the archaeologist to other historical evidence. One tiny
example is to consider how people named their children. Have you observed
how many surnames appear as a given name? The practice of naming the first son after the parents of the couple frequently includes a surname. This interesting practice preserves the history of a particular family and possibly its origin.

During 1947 a dig was commenced on St. Simon's Island, Georgia at the site of Fort Frederica and it was discovered that the old town was
laid out in an orderly fashion and strategically to defend the fort against Spanish invasion. It featured two wards divided by a
75-foot-wide main corridor called Broad Street and eighty-four regularly
spaced lots. Barracks Street, the cross street, led to the
regimental quarters of the regiments of General Oglethorpe. The discovery revealed a star-shaped fortress with a magazine and spur battery of cannon. The citadel was constructed of tabby, a concrete-type mixture of sand, lime and shells plentiful in the region. As part of the plan, the
military support town covered forty acres of land. It was in this town that Oglethorpe brought the first settlement of thirty men during February of 1736. What they discovered was an old Indian corn field with a commanding view of inland waterways and salty sea marshes.

A description was provided by John Percival, the earl of Egmont, in his Journal remarked that the "bay within was very secure for shipping" and the southern mouth of the Altamaha River was "land lock'd from the Winds."

Oglethorpe traced out a fort with four bastions,
"dug enough of the ditch and raised enough of the Rampart for a sample
for the Men to work upon."

Frederica's first residents came from England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, as well as Creek Indians of the Yamacraw tribe.

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About Me

After having researched multiple families from much has been learned about the pivotal roles which each o them played in building America. Everyone's ancestor whether in the history books or not, helped to build this country. I have probably traced over 100,000 names and am so familiar with the early colonists that I can just about open a discussion about any ancestor in the Southeast regions. If done properly, a tedious research will unfold the daily lives of each subject. I suppose that I am a fanatic now, however, an awareness of the experiences of your and my ancestors makes the history of America precious. I could sit down and talk (just about any) colonial ancestor with you. Hence, the desire to share my information with you. My researches are all heavily documented and I have discovered the intricate details which others cannot find. Jeannette Holland Austin www.georgiapioneers.com